UBA’s LEO Becomes Africa’s First Chatbot to Power Cross-Border Payments

In a landmark development for digital banking in Africa, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has announced that its AI-powered chatbot, LEO, is now equipped to perform cross-border payment transactions, making it the first chatbot on the continent to do so.

This innovation is powered by the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), a platform developed by the African Export-Import Bank (AfreximBank) to facilitate seamless intra-African payments in local currencies.

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With this integration, UBA customers, from individuals and small traders to large corporations, can now transfer funds instantly across African countries where PAPSS is approved by respective central banks.

A Bold Leap in African Banking

Oliver Alawuba, group managing director/CEO of UBA, described the breakthrough as a major step toward UBA’s vision of a more connected and inclusive Africa.

“The launch of cross-border payments on LEO, in partnership with PAPSS, is more than an upgrade, it’s a leap into the future of African finance,” Alawuba said.

“We’re combining digital innovation with the goal of Pan-African integration to deliver customer-centric solutions that reflect the realities of modern-day Africa.”

Fast, Secure, and Cost-Effective

With LEO’s PAPSS-enabled payment feature, users can enjoy:

Instant money transfers across borders within seconds
Self-service convenience directly on the chatbot interface
Lower transaction costs
Zero charges for recipients
Enhanced security and confidentiality

Shamsideen Fasola, group head of Retail and Digital Banking at UBA, highlighted how this move also supports broader economic goals:

“This is a game-changer for financial inclusion and intra-African trade. By enabling UBA customers to send and receive money across the continent in local currencies, we are breaking down old barriers and formalizing what has traditionally been informal trade,” Fasola said.

Driving AfCFTA’s Vision Forward

This innovation aligns strongly with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), by streamlining cross-border trade, supporting small businesses, and reducing reliance on foreign currencies for regional transactions.

By becoming the first bank in Africa to activate cross-border payments via a chatbot, UBA once again cements its leadership in digital transformation, financial inclusion, and customer experience.

With a presence in 20 African countries and global offices in the UK, USA, France, and UAE, UBA serves over 45 million customers and employs 25,000 staff across its network, consistently delivering future-forward banking solutions at scale.